A chef's knife is primarily designed for slicing, dicing, and chopping food ingredients in the kitchen. While it can handle some light tasks beyond food preparation, such as cutting through packaging materials or trimming small twigs, it is not the ideal tool for chopping up small pieces of wood or sticks like firewood or skewers.
Using a chef's knife for cutting wood or hard materials can damage the knife and potentially pose safety risks. The thin, fine edge of a chef's knife is not designed to withstand the forces and impact involved in chopping wood. It can lead to dulling, chipping, or even breaking the blade, which would compromise its effectiveness for kitchen tasks.
If you need to chop small pieces of wood or sticks, it's recommended to use appropriate tools such as a small hand saw, pruning shears, or a dedicated wood-cutting knife. These tools are designed with sturdy blades and features that make them better suited for cutting wood and other tough materials.
To preserve the sharpness and longevity of your chef's knife, it's best to use it solely for its intended purpose: food preparation.